Senate Republicans are hoping the Brett Kavanaugh bump can save them in the midterm elections.
GOP candidates have seen a surge on the Senate map over the last week, especially in GOP-leaning states where supporting the justice was popular. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., have both seen polling move in their favor, while Rep. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., has opened up an sizable margin over Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., who voted against Kavanaugh.
“It’s undeniable that there’s a lot of energy on the Left, so much that it seemed like the mob had taken control of our Democratic colleagues and that process,” said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, of Kavanaugh’s embattled nomination. “I do think the battle will energize Republican voters. I hope it does as a reminder … I have no doubt it will be used in paid media and elsewhere to fight that fight leading up to Nov. 6.”
[Related: How Kavanaugh has shaken the midterm elections kaleidoscope]
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., conceded that the attacks on the judge are one of the only things that has woken up the GOP base, something the party needed a month out from the midterms even with a booming economy and strong job creation.
The question remains, though, whether the surge will last over the next month or fade away as other possible campaign issues have throughout the past year, such as the GOP tax law or Trump’s high-profile talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Republicans remain optimistic that it will.
“Yeah, I think so. Our people are reminded what’s at stake up here [and] the way the other side plays and that the court is very much an important fight. I think it will translate,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. “We’ll know in a few weeks.”
“I think it kind of sells itself,” Graham added.
Democrats are hopeful the GOP bounce will evaporate. Despite voting for the nomination, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., believes most issues have a short shelf-life today.
“I don’t know. Who knows. Around this place, things change — it’s like the weather. It changes in 24 hours, so anything can be the next big issue,” Manchin said, adding that West Virginians have been mixed on his decision to support the justice.
“I got both,” Manchin said of support and vitriol for his move. “Overall, people appreciate me being independent. They know I’m independent. They know I’m not controlled.”
Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., chairman of the Senate Democrats’ campaign arm, believes the top issue will continue to be healthcare and pocketbook issues. Democrats have been hammering home healthcare in races nationwide, particularly what they believe is the GOP’s push to take away coverage for pre-existing conditions.
“I think you’ve got the ongoing issues that all American families care about, and at the top of that list are rising healthcare costs and fear of losing protections for pre-existing conditions,” Van Hollen said. “That was No. 1. It will remain No. 1. That’s the kind of thing people will care about the next four weeks.”
According to Republicans, including Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, they are more than willing to make the election about other issues, namely the economy. But for now, they’re going to run with the Kavanaugh fight as far as it will take them.
“Ask Indiana, ask Missouri, ask North Dakota whether that’s going to calm down,” Gardner said of the Kavanaugh fight. “If they want to talk about pocketbook issues, let’s talk about pocketbook issues. That’s fine.”
